What We're Up To /

The NRL Voice Against Violence initiative aims to assist the rugby league community to 'stand up', 'speak out' and 'take action' to prevent violence against women and children. There are three components of Voice Against Violence:

• Voice Against Violence education workshops
• An awareness campaigns
• Voice Against Violence website

Keep up to date with the latest workshops, campaigns, and initiatives.

Latest updates 

NRL announces Voice Against Violence program in Samoa

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency, Ms Emily Luck was on hand with leading community representatives in Apia, Samoa to launch the NRL ‘Voice Against Violence’ campaign today.

The Voice Against Violence initiative is an education program, developed in consultation with expert partners in domestic violence cases, and is aimed at informing and empowering young men and women to stand up, speak out and take action against domestic violence.

The Voice Against Violence program will see increased efforts and workshops promoted throughout Samoa to spread the message that violence of any kind is not ok.

NRL Samoa Manager, Mike Felise said “The Voice Against Violence program is another step in the right direction for Rugby League to use its voice for good amongst Pacific communities and to create change for the better”.

“Domestic Violence is a serious issue throughout the Pacific and through the power of Rugby League, we want to make sure that communities know the right thing to do and where to go for help”.

Today’s announcement means that the NRL’s Voice Against Violence workshops are now being delivered across six (6) countries, Australia, PNG, Fiji, Tonga, NZ and Samoa.

The NRL will work closely with the Australian High Commission and expert partners such as the, Samoan Victim Support Group, over the short-term to put in place education objectives and plans, before commencing the roll-out of the program to local communities throughout Samoa in early 2022.  

The launch of the Voice Against Violence program in Samoa was made possible with the support of the Australian Government’s ‘Team Up’ program.

To read the full Media Release, download the pdf.

Joint Leadership Statement - National Sporting Codes commit to promote gender equality and respect in sport

As the leaders of Australia's major national sporting organisations, we are committed to working together to continue to build equal and respectful organisations.

Now more than ever, we recognise the  power and influence  of sport to continue to promote gender equality and encourage positive social change in our society. By doing so, we are part of a national effort to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. While together we have made great advancements for women in sport, we acknowledge there is still more work to be done. In order to embed gender equality at all levels of our sport and do our part to prevent violence against women, we pledge to:

• Ensure equal opportunities for women in sport remains on the agenda. Challenge harmful gender stereotypes and encourage respectful relationships at all levels of our organisations and our game.
• Create inclusive, equitable, and safe environments for everyone.
• Increase women's and girl's sport participation, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from diverse backgrounds.
• Promote positive role models in sport to make gender equality relevant to our supporters and fans.

We will continue to work collectively and collaboratively with Our Watch, our clubs, other sporting organisations, expert groups and our communities to actively advance gender equality to prevent violence against women.

NRL Club Workshops 

During 2020 all sixteen NRL Clubs first grade squads were scheduled to participate in the Voice Against Violence workshop.

Nine of the sixteen clubs participated in the workshop before COVID-19 and NRL clubs were confined to their respective bubbles for the 2020 season. These clubs included: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans, Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons and the New Zealand Warriors.

Watch as the

Prime Minister's XIII 2019

The 2019 Prime Minister's XIII Australian and Fijian men's and women's teams all participated in the Voice Against Violence program as part of their Prime Minister's XIII 2019 campaign in Fiji.

Australian Defence Force Rugby League

As part of their Pacific Tour during October 2019, the men's and women's Australian Defence Force Rugby League teams participated in the program alongside the Fiji Army men's and women's teams.

NRL take a stand against domestic violence with staff and players participating in the 2019 Step Out, Speak Out Walk.

Fiji Voice Against Violence delivery expands, with the help of the Australian Government

Australian Government pledges $100,000 to Voice against Violence program

Flanagan helps spread Voice Against Violence to next generation, including his junior club.

NRL Voice Against Violence expands to Tonga!

Simaima Taufa making her voice heard in anti-violence campaign in Tonga

NRL anti-violence program expands into Tonga

Watch the 2018 Power For Change Campaign below featuring the Minto Cobras! 

The NRL partner with Rio Tinto to take Voice Against Violence to Weipa and its surrounds!

Tongue driving change in Weipa through NRL's Voice Against Violence campaign

NRL Voice Against Violence makes its way to Western Australia

Taufa steps up for Voice Against Violence in WA

---

Voice Against Violence heads to Murgon

The jetwinvip.community team travelled to Central Queensland to deliver the NRL Voice Against Violence program over three days to junior rugby league clubs and high school rugby league teams in the local South Burnett region. 

---

NRL teams up with Rio Tinto to assist remote communities

The NRL partnered with Rio Tinto, Goodline and Workpac to take the NRL Voice Against Violence program to Weipa and surrounding communities between 7 - 11 June. 

---

Local junior league district are proud to support White Ribbon Australia

After taking part in the NRL Voice Against Violence program, the Wests Junior took action to support White Ribbon Day. 

Round 16 saw the Western Suburb Junior League District hold it's maiden 'White Ribbon Round'. They also developed and proudly shared their own #Respect4Women campaign across social media!

.

.

---

The NRL and Wests Tigers collaborate to prevent violence against women

The Wests Tigers partnered with White Ribbon and the NRL to deliver the NRL Voice Against Violence program to the Campbelltown Warriors. 

.

---

Papua New Guinea

Check out two videos from our recent trip to Papua New Guinea as part of the PM's XIII trip.

• ;
• .

Also, Joanna Lester's Power Meri follows Papua New Guinea's first national women's rugby league team, the PNG Orchids, on their journey to the 2017 World Cup in Australia. These trailblazers must beat not only the sporting competition, but also intense sexism, a lack of funding, and national prejudice to reach their biggest stage yet.